Thunder Bay Ultrasound offers a wide variety of services:

Abdominal Ultrasound

Abdominal ultrasound is used to assess the internal organs located within the abdomen. Common reasons include pain or tenderness or abnormal blood work.

Thyroid or Salivary Gland Ultrasound

Thyroid or salivary gland ultrasound is used to assess these glands when you or your physician feels a change in your neck or your blood work is abnormal.

1st Trimester Obstetrical (Dating) Ultrasound

1st trimester obstetrical ultrasound is frequently ordered to confirm whether a patient is pregnant, to check the age and progress of an early pregnancy, or to rule out miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy if a patient is experiencing pain or bleeding.

2nd Trimester Obstetrical (Detailed Anatomy) Ultrasound

2nd trimester obstetrical ultrasound is ordered to provide your physician with a detailed physical assessment of your unborn baby and is usually completed between 18-22 weeks gestation. Baby’s position, growth and development are also checked, as well as the volume of the amniotic fluid and the position and condition of the placenta and cervix.

3rd Trimester Obstetrical (Biophysical Profile or BPP, Growth, Amniotic Fluid Volume, etc…)Ultrasound

3rd trimester obstetrical ultrasound is typically completed towards the end of a pregnancy and is used to check that baby is growing, developing and moving appropriately for its gestational age. It can also be used to confirm your baby’s position within the uterus (i.e. head down, breech presentation etc.), volume of amniotic fluid, quality of blood flow by Doppler studies and others.

Nuchal Translucency

Nuchal translucency ultrasound is a genetic screening test used to calculate the odds of your baby having a chromosomal abnormality, most commonly Down’s syndrome (Trisomy 21). This test is only valid if performed between 11 weeks to 13 weeks and 6 days of gestational age. A small fold of skin at the back of baby’s neck is imaged and measured in this exam.

Female Pelvic Ultrasound

Female pelvic ultrasound is used to assess the pelvic and reproductive organs as well as the urinary tract. This exam is commonly ordered if you are experiencing pelvic pain, infertility or changes in your menstrual cycle and to check the position of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) after insertion. It usually includes exam through abdomen and also internal (transvaginal) exam with a special probe inserted into vagina to allow for detailed visualization of pelvic organs.

Male Pelvic Ultrasound

Male pelvic ultrasound is commonly ordered to assess the size of the prostate or when the patient has difficulty emptying their bladder fully. It also includes assessment of bladder and other organs.

Scrotal (Testicular) Ultrasound

Scrotal ultrasound may be requested by your physician when you experience changes in your testicles or scrotum. These changes can include lumps, pain, tenderness, hardness or swelling and infertility.

Kidneys, Ureter, Bladder Ultrasound, Male or Female

Kidneys, ureters and bladder ultrasounds are used to assess the urinary tract and associated organs. Common causes for this exam include multiple bladder infections, kidney stones and incontinence or urgency.

Hernia Ultrasound

Hernia ultrasound is used to examine the abdominal wall and inguinal (groin) areas for suspected hernias. You may notice a lump that changes size, may cause pain or only appears in certain positions or with certain activities (i.e. coughing or heavy lifting).

Musculoskeletal (MSK) Ultrasound

Musculoskeletal ultrasound is ordered if your physician suspects you have arthritis or you have injured or torn a muscle, tendon or ligament. This exam can also identify areas of inflammation or pockets of fluid around joints. Common areas to be examined include: shoulders, elbows, wrists (carpal tunnel syndrome), hands and fingers, hips, knees, ankles, Achilles tendon, feet and toes.

Sonohysterogram – Saline Infusion

This is a female internal test performed with presence of physician to confirm or rule out abnormal structures or shape of uterus cavity. It feels like having a PAP smear and transvaginal ultrasound performed together. A small amount of sterile water (saline) is injected through a small catheter into uterus cavity. This fluid outlines the cavity very well and then pictures are obtained with transvaginal ultrasound. It takes only few minutes, it can cause minimal cramping; however most patients tolerate this procedure very well.

Amniocentesis

This test is performed in the second trimester when a thin needle is inserted through abdominal skin into uterus to obtain a small amount of amniotic fluid. This fluid is tested for chromosomal abnormalities to give final result. Reason for this test is an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities for baby, usually from abnormal prenatal screening from blood test.